Three groups for Ranji Trophy, five-day knockouts

The BCCI's technical committee has recommended that structural changes be made to the Ranji Trophy, India's premier first-class tournament, by doing away with the existing Elite and Plate divisions and rearranging the 27 teams into three groups of nine each.

The committee's other recommendations for domestic cricket include increasing the points for outright wins in the Ranji Trophy, allowing Ranji knockout games to go into a sixth day to produce a result, allowing bowlers two bouncers per over in one-day cricket and one bowler 12 overs.

The existing Ranji Trophy format, which replaced the zonal system in 2002-03, has teams divided into Elite and Plate League, and into two more sub-groups. Six teams from Elite and two from Plate make it to the quarter-finals. If the BCCI's working committee ratifies the recommendations, the tournament will have three groups. The BCCI is yet to finalise the exact criterion for division, but it is expected that group A will be the strongest and C the weakest. This will ensure every team gets eight matches at least; presently eight teams play seven league matches each, seven teams play six each and the remaining 12 get five each.

Key changes

27 teams be divided into three groups, instead of two in the existing Ranji format

Each team gets to play a minimum of eight Ranji games

Knockout games to be five-day fixtures, with an extra day available to encourage result

Outright wins worth six points instead of five

Bowlers permitted to bowl two bouncers an over

One bowler permitted to bowl 12 overs in one-dayers

Three teams each from A and B, and two from C, will make it to the quarter-finals. The quarters and semi-finals, four-day matches at present, will be played over five days, and if a first-innings lead has not been achieved by then, they will go into a sixth day. If a first-innings lead has not been established by the sixth, the winner will be decided by a coin toss.

The committee also made recommendations to incentivise outright wins in league matches. If they are ratified, outright wins will be worth six points as opposed to five. The bonus point, which accrues on ten-wicket or innings victories, will remain.

Another important recommendation is for bowlers to be allowed two bouncers an over and for one bowler to have a 12-over quota in one-day matches. The field restrictions, though, won't follow the changes recommended by the ICC in international cricket.

India's domestic calendar was shuffled as well. The Irani Cup is likely to be played at the end of the season, and the Duleep Trophy at the start. There could be two Irani Cup matches this season as a result: Rajasthan (2011-12 champions) v Rest of India, and this season's champion v Rest of India. The Challenger Trophy has also been restructured. One of its three teams could be the winner of India's domestic one-day competition, the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Sourav Ganguly, the head of BCCI's technical committee, said there would also be an emphasis on producing good quality pitches. Anil Kumble, who was a special invitee to the meeting, said these changes would provide better structure to the Ranji Trophy.

"Besides giving each team an equal number of matches home and away, this format brings in more competition as teams will have an equal chance of making it to the top two of their respective groups," Kumble told the BCCI's website. "We believe the home and away format gives that incentive for the state associations to organise four home matches in the centres they want. As the president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association it gives me the opportunity to take the game outside of Bangalore and develop it in the smaller centres."

Having 3 teams from group B & 2 teams from group C play in the quarterfinals can cause a major embarrasment. Suppose either of the teams from group C or team no 3 from group B WINS the Ranji Trophy ! Then the next year you will have a situation that the winner of the Ranji Trophy is playing in group B !!!
I suggest we have only 4 teams play the semifinals : the top 3 from group A plus the top team from group B

on June 14, 2012, 15:55 GMT

As usual reforms follow the one step forward two step backward pattern.
Replacing Elite and Plate with ABC is old wine in new bottle especially when they haven't spelt out how the divisions will happen. It is widely suspected that the top 8 will be in A group. Nothing can be worse than such a division. Instead they should follow Tennis and other sports and create chances for the top two teams to clash in the final. Two bouncers per over and 12 overs for one bowler is of marginal benefit when field restrictions do not change. Between five and six there is no big difference and so the incentivising the outright win is another half hearted attempt at pushing for results. What they have failed to bring in is most disappointing. Sporting pitches and uncovered pitches. Kumble and Ganguly have been successful in winning beyond the subcontinent and know what it takes to do that. And yet were not willing to push for the one big change. Can India afford such half way measures?

on June 14, 2012, 13:46 GMT

Everything is good. but India expecting next generation for Indian cricket; they scored too much runs in India, so many centuries and fifties; but now in West Indies they are drinking too much water. At least one fifty they can't, why???? . So what Indian board will do for that one. May be they will again make some spin pitches and will continue same like this.

on June 14, 2012, 7:05 GMT

12 over Bowling is not a good optn, I think they could have done one thing that divide the teams in pool of 12 and 15, the bottom 12 and top 15, top 15 should play 4 day games among them and by doing so all of them will get 14 games each , and the bottom 12 should play 11 games each in 3 day games,then top 3 of the top 15 and the 1st team of bottom 12 should go to the semifinals.

relegation of botton 2 teams of division 1 and promotion of top 2 teams should be there .

444888
on June 13, 2012, 18:33 GMT

The existing format which provides enough opportunity for all teams should not be meddled with as the earlier BCCI Technical Committee headed by SM Gavaskar had suggested the existing format after careful scrutiny and study. Changes should not be brought in just for changes sake. The idea of having two Irani Trophy matches is also not a sound proposition as the Irani Trophy by any such change will lose its significance. What really needed is that BCCI should ensure that the Ranji Trophy matches are not interrupted by Tests/ODIs at home or abroad and like IPL matches, a set schedule without any interruption should be devised for the RT matches. Also the BCCI should make it obligatory on the part of all the Test/ODI players to make themselves available for this prestigious tournament.
C Keshava Murthy, Bangalore

Maddy1987123
on June 13, 2012, 17:31 GMT

More needs to be done to get the crowds in stadiums. More ODI's needs to be included in domestic season.

Newer teams must be merged with existing teams, for example, Puducherry with TN, Bihar with Jharkhand, UK with the (Punjab+HP +J&K) team, Chhatissgarh with MP, Sikkim with Bengal. Both the service teams could combine to form Central Services ... the other North-East teams could play as North-East India team. With this the total number of teams remains 18.

on June 13, 2012, 7:28 GMT

I personally liked the statement made by Kumble that game should be taken to smaller venues which would make more talent unearth and help the game. Where as money making by getting spectators is concern than we have IPL. Ranji is specially for creating pool of players for test matches at national level. Also I liked the concept of having winners of 50 ovr tournament as one team in challengers trophy. What i didnt like is the fact of bowling 12 overs in One day and also the fact that fieding restriction are still the same and not as per ICC changes. One thing we must do is get the rules allinged up with ICC so our players are in the same mindset at national and international level. In all good changes by Dada and Jumbo.. Cheers

Sunman81
on June 13, 2012, 7:24 GMT

Winner to be decided by a coin toss after playing for 6 days is a real bad one!

on June 13, 2012, 6:22 GMT

The concept of one team per zone or one team per state would be good when all the teams and players are equally capable. Zones such as the west zone and states such as Mumbai produce more good cricketers than say Assam or Kerala. So a player who does not get a chance to play for Mumbai may be good enough to play for Kerala or Assam. The current league system should provide for many teams from a state such as Mumbai A, Mumbai B, Mumbai C etc., Mumbai A based on the performance could be placed in group A, Mumbai C could be in group C. In addition to this one may enforce one team from each zone state to play compulsarily in the knock out stages. This way we would not be ignoring good players who do not get a chance to play for Mumbai in favor of lesser players who get a chance to play in the Ranji in lieu of playing for a lesser team such as Assam , Goa or Kerala.

Masterblaster1210
on June 15, 2012, 13:14 GMT

Having 3 teams from group B & 2 teams from group C play in the quarterfinals can cause a major embarrasment. Suppose either of the teams from group C or team no 3 from group B WINS the Ranji Trophy ! Then the next year you will have a situation that the winner of the Ranji Trophy is playing in group B !!!
I suggest we have only 4 teams play the semifinals : the top 3 from group A plus the top team from group B

on June 14, 2012, 15:55 GMT

As usual reforms follow the one step forward two step backward pattern.
Replacing Elite and Plate with ABC is old wine in new bottle especially when they haven't spelt out how the divisions will happen. It is widely suspected that the top 8 will be in A group. Nothing can be worse than such a division. Instead they should follow Tennis and other sports and create chances for the top two teams to clash in the final. Two bouncers per over and 12 overs for one bowler is of marginal benefit when field restrictions do not change. Between five and six there is no big difference and so the incentivising the outright win is another half hearted attempt at pushing for results. What they have failed to bring in is most disappointing. Sporting pitches and uncovered pitches. Kumble and Ganguly have been successful in winning beyond the subcontinent and know what it takes to do that. And yet were not willing to push for the one big change. Can India afford such half way measures?

on June 14, 2012, 13:46 GMT

Everything is good. but India expecting next generation for Indian cricket; they scored too much runs in India, so many centuries and fifties; but now in West Indies they are drinking too much water. At least one fifty they can't, why???? . So what Indian board will do for that one. May be they will again make some spin pitches and will continue same like this.

on June 14, 2012, 7:05 GMT

12 over Bowling is not a good optn, I think they could have done one thing that divide the teams in pool of 12 and 15, the bottom 12 and top 15, top 15 should play 4 day games among them and by doing so all of them will get 14 games each , and the bottom 12 should play 11 games each in 3 day games,then top 3 of the top 15 and the 1st team of bottom 12 should go to the semifinals.

relegation of botton 2 teams of division 1 and promotion of top 2 teams should be there .

444888
on June 13, 2012, 18:33 GMT

The existing format which provides enough opportunity for all teams should not be meddled with as the earlier BCCI Technical Committee headed by SM Gavaskar had suggested the existing format after careful scrutiny and study. Changes should not be brought in just for changes sake. The idea of having two Irani Trophy matches is also not a sound proposition as the Irani Trophy by any such change will lose its significance. What really needed is that BCCI should ensure that the Ranji Trophy matches are not interrupted by Tests/ODIs at home or abroad and like IPL matches, a set schedule without any interruption should be devised for the RT matches. Also the BCCI should make it obligatory on the part of all the Test/ODI players to make themselves available for this prestigious tournament.
C Keshava Murthy, Bangalore

Maddy1987123
on June 13, 2012, 17:31 GMT

More needs to be done to get the crowds in stadiums. More ODI's needs to be included in domestic season.

Newer teams must be merged with existing teams, for example, Puducherry with TN, Bihar with Jharkhand, UK with the (Punjab+HP +J&K) team, Chhatissgarh with MP, Sikkim with Bengal. Both the service teams could combine to form Central Services ... the other North-East teams could play as North-East India team. With this the total number of teams remains 18.

on June 13, 2012, 7:28 GMT

I personally liked the statement made by Kumble that game should be taken to smaller venues which would make more talent unearth and help the game. Where as money making by getting spectators is concern than we have IPL. Ranji is specially for creating pool of players for test matches at national level. Also I liked the concept of having winners of 50 ovr tournament as one team in challengers trophy. What i didnt like is the fact of bowling 12 overs in One day and also the fact that fieding restriction are still the same and not as per ICC changes. One thing we must do is get the rules allinged up with ICC so our players are in the same mindset at national and international level. In all good changes by Dada and Jumbo.. Cheers

Sunman81
on June 13, 2012, 7:24 GMT

Winner to be decided by a coin toss after playing for 6 days is a real bad one!

on June 13, 2012, 6:22 GMT

The concept of one team per zone or one team per state would be good when all the teams and players are equally capable. Zones such as the west zone and states such as Mumbai produce more good cricketers than say Assam or Kerala. So a player who does not get a chance to play for Mumbai may be good enough to play for Kerala or Assam. The current league system should provide for many teams from a state such as Mumbai A, Mumbai B, Mumbai C etc., Mumbai A based on the performance could be placed in group A, Mumbai C could be in group C. In addition to this one may enforce one team from each zone state to play compulsarily in the knock out stages. This way we would not be ignoring good players who do not get a chance to play for Mumbai in favor of lesser players who get a chance to play in the Ranji in lieu of playing for a lesser team such as Assam , Goa or Kerala.

on June 13, 2012, 5:18 GMT

I always think of a test match of four days with one inning each in a day, say 90 overs maximum for each inning. It will certainly have a result after the fourth day, its more like a one day of two innings each for a team, this could be practised at least in domestic arena, not only it will increase the result oriented matches but also draw spectators as there could a tight finish at the fourth day.
This also prompts players to play swiftly, who at present thinks that making a century in a day or two would make them stand in lime light, or taking taking 3/4 wickets with high economy or in 100/150 overs what is needed to get a ticket to national team. Another crucial requirement is of good track which can somehow match the level of Aus/SA, playing on such tracks could make them able to compete with top teams, and also make foreign tours for once or twice a year. Extending a day or giving more points for a win will not make a big difference.

on June 13, 2012, 4:54 GMT

@SpyderonNet : The age cap thing is stupid! Kanitkar led Rajasthan, a Plate league team to back to back Ranji titles! Ganguly is an excellent mentor for Bengal. If any thing, these senior players help nurture the yongsters by sharing the dressing room

arunrg
on June 13, 2012, 4:17 GMT

After years of complacency under the leadership of Sunil Gavaskar, the technical committee now headed my Ganguly has finally taken some worthwhile initiatives to improve the quality of domestic cricket in India. I hope these changes make domestic cricket more competitive where player contribute towards a team's success rather than individual glory.

satish619chandar
on June 13, 2012, 3:49 GMT

@SpyderOnNet : Domestic cricket is the platform to develop the potential of young raw players.. Experience along with talent would be the best thing to happen.. Let the younger players blend with the senior ones and learn some technique as well as some vital ethics which is not given so much importance these days.. Gratitude towards the game can be learnt when playing with the players whom you have mentioned.. As far as i see, there is no better student of the game than Aakash Chopra.. I would still love to see him in Indian test team at no.3 and captaining the team.. He is the guy who can replace Dravid in terms of technique, concentration, putting team before self ad complete determination..

SpyderOnNet
on June 13, 2012, 2:25 GMT

One of the revolutionary changes we need for ranji group is AGE cap for players....along with all changes Dada has recommended. We don't people like DADA, KANITKAR, AKASH CHOPRA, ROMESH POWAR, SUNIL JOSHI, AJIT KULKARNI playing even when their criketing/International career is over. They should make way for young talents and take up mentoring role.

on June 13, 2012, 2:17 GMT

Great changes, but the concept of relegation should be retained. Also allowing one bowler to bowl 12 overs is not desirable as teams would tend to depend on individual performances.

My idea of having Mumbai as a separate team is because Mumbai is a very strong team and if it is merged with Maharashtra then players from Maharashtra would find it difficult to get into the team.
Other teams like Saurashtra, Baroda & Gujarat of Gujarat OR Hyderabad & Andhra of AP OR Maharashtra & Vidharba of Maharashtra are easier teams (except Baroda) and thus can be unified to create stronger state teams.

balajik1968
on June 13, 2012, 0:54 GMT

Good beginning, but something more needs to be done. The Duleep Trophy is a waste of time. Earlier selection to Duleep meant that the zonal selectors considered a player worthy of national selection. Today nobody pays attention to Duleep, including the zonal selectors. Same goes for the Irani Trophy. It was meant to start the first class calendar, but with so much cricket played, it is no longer relevant. What we can do is Division 'A' plays for the Ranji, 'B' plays for the Duleep and 'C' plays for the Irani. Let's face it. Teams like Kerala and Goa, which may top Group C have no realistic chance of winning the Ranji. However winning something achievable may motivate them to improve. Also, domestic cricket should be played on uncovered wickets.

Sammy_Ind
on June 12, 2012, 22:00 GMT

The changes are positive but I still have reservations on the group format. There should be relegation which gives extra incentive to work hard to keep your place. Also since group C will be a weaker group the 4th placed team from A & B should meet in a play off with the top two teams of C. That will give the top teams a valid chance to make to the next round, on the other hand it will also give a chance to the team from group C to show their mattle that they are not fluke.

Each level would feed the next level and level 1 would feed the national team.
Players waiting for a national Birth should play in Levels 1 and 2 only. Ranjis on flat decks even against the best teams will not help them improve. Ranji winners, Rajasthan don't have good bowlers to represent India. So, playing against them is not going to be the same as playing against Australia in Australia or SA in SA. We are assuming that people playing well in Ranjis will do well at Int'l level. But, we are not providing them with enough quality cricket to improve. Most players who aren't naturally gifted learn things at the expense of the national team's performance when the represent the Country

To me, a player waiting to make it to the national team shouldn't be playing in the Ranjis. It is a good platform to start off, but for a player to be really ready for the Indian team, he should be playing more in the zonal tournaments, challenger series, IPL and also visit other countries and play tournaments for India A or B.

Many Ranji teams only have 1-2 good batsmen (good to represent India) and bowlers. Players waiting in the line should play 70-80% of their Cricket for their Zones (North - South - Central - West - East). Instead of increasing the matches in the Ranjis, they should concentrate on the Zonal tournaments. For example, when Mumbai plays Rajasthan, some one like Rohit sharma gets to play only Pankaj Singh and possibly another decent bowler. But, if he plays against NorthZone, he would face 4-5 decent bowlers. A Ranji attack is no where close to a Zonal attack, forget the Indian attack, which by its own standards is much lesser compared to the other Countries.

on June 12, 2012, 18:20 GMT

We see a lot of people saying of merging or scrapping teams like assam but please tell me how would cricket develop in these states if they are not allowed places in the domestic game.But yes max 1 team per state unless it is a really good side like Mumbai

on June 12, 2012, 15:52 GMT

@BetterReading : Why should Mumbai to be left alone it should be turned into maharashtra team ... like all others you were mentioned

venkat_75r
on June 12, 2012, 15:48 GMT

Though I welcome the changes, it does not make sense that teams from all the groups are getting qualified for quarter finals. Two teams from the weakest group (C) is getting qualified for the quarter finals whereas Team 4 from the strongest group does not, which is not fair. This means teams like Mumbai, Tamil Nadu or Karnataka and other consistent teams, if they finish 4th in Group A will not get qualified whereas one of the weakest teams finishing 2nd in Group C can qualify. On the other hand, a simple relegation method would have worked well with Ranji Trophy and a very big prize money for the winner of Group A, no trophy and a relatively smaller prize (one third of Group A's prize money) for the Group B and more smaller prize money (one third of the Group B's prize money) with no trophy for Group C . The bottom two teams in Group A to be relegated and replaced by top two teams in Group B and the bottom two teams in Group B to be replaced by top two teams in Group C every year.

on June 12, 2012, 15:42 GMT

27 teams is too much! Need to merge. Tamil Nadu, Mumbai, Delhi continue to produce players. Weaker teams like Gujarat, who don't supply players to the national team, need to be absorbed into a nearby state. We need a far more concentrated pool of talent.

on June 12, 2012, 15:15 GMT

Dada Has Formatted Indian Domestic Cricket Just Same As English County Cricket. Just Wanna Add Couple Of Things More...

1. Please Have A Provision Of Signing Foreigner Players For Domestic League In Longer Version Of Cricket [ Not Just IPL]

2. Also Please Do Something So That We Can See The Matches Live As We See ENglish County Matches and Australian Domestic Matches

Overall.... Dada Has Scored A Ton Again On Debut..... This Time As An Administrator

30-30-150
on June 12, 2012, 14:26 GMT

And why have two teams from the state of Andhra Pradesh when both of them are struggling among the bottom sides? If both Hyderabad and Andhra is made into a single team, then they will surely be among the top sides of the tournament. Assam and Tripura to can also be merged to form one team.

ultimatewarrior
on June 12, 2012, 14:20 GMT

In order to maintain Group A quality relegate 2 teams to B and bottom team to C, while promote 2 teams from B to A and 1 team from C to A as well as promote 1 team from C to B. So ultimate lineup will be as Group A(top5 - QF / 7th & 8th - Group B / Bottom - Group C), Group B (Top 2 - QF & Group A / bottom 1 - group C) Group C (Top - QF & Group A / 2nd from Top - Group B )

30-30-150
on June 12, 2012, 14:18 GMT

The idea of having more matches is commendable. But when a situation like a mighty Mumbai facing a lowly Tripura arises, we will see a lot of records being broken. This isn't quite right; to have teams like Assam, Tripura, Jammu & Kashmir, Services in the same league as top teams like Mumbai, Karnataka, UP, Tamil Nadu. And as people have mentioned earlier, scrap some of these teams to make the tournament more intense.

ultimatewarrior
on June 12, 2012, 14:03 GMT

I didn't see any good appreciation for any team to stay in A group altogether it should be the toughest, as any team will be interested to be in Group C as it is the easiest group and to be among the Top 2 of group C is easier than to be in Top 3 of group A or Top 3 of group B. So overall teams in Group A failing to be among Top 3 will tend to be in bottom 3 of Group A and teams in Group B failing to be among Top 3 will tend to be in bottom 2 of Group B so to get easy group next year.....I want to suggest it should be 5 - 2 - 1 teams from group A - B - C should qualify for knock outs and get ultimate chance of winning the Ranji Trophy...(maximize incentive to be in Group A)

on June 12, 2012, 13:52 GMT

Why not have a simplle promotion and relegation process among the groups? The last 2 of Group A moves down to Group B the next seaon and the top 2 from group B moves to Group A. Similarly Bottom two of B and top 2 of C exchange groups

BetterReading
on June 12, 2012, 13:52 GMT

Some states have 2-3 teams like Gujarat, Vidharba & Saurashtra in Gujarat. There should be 1 team per state. Mumbai should remain a separate team.
The selection committee should be free of people associated with any IPL team.
The pool of umpires should also be improved. IPl has revealed their quality.

rahulcricket007
on June 12, 2012, 13:33 GMT

bcci is on a roll these days .

Agnihothra
on June 12, 2012, 13:13 GMT

stamps of Soourav and Anil. but will it sail through the working comm meeting?

Bruisers
on June 12, 2012, 13:06 GMT

Scrap some of the useless teams like Tripura, Services, J&K and merge Maharashtra and Vidarbha, Hyderabad and Andhra, Gujarat and Baroda. That way the tournament will be of the right length with 7 teams in all 3 groups.

prashnottz
on June 12, 2012, 13:05 GMT

Superb. Well thought out suggetions keeping in mind the population.

on June 12, 2012, 13:04 GMT

They can try few matches in SA, NZ not just promotion of sport but also give the exposure to the players under different conditions...

Percy_Fender
on June 12, 2012, 12:30 GMT

It is imperative to play on sporting surfaces whether it is the Ranji or any other tournament. The curators a of Bangalore and Mohali should be assigned the task to create such wickets at all the places where the matches ar going to held. Rather than having the Vijay Hazare tournament winners play the Challengers, an additional team should be included.Saurav Ganguly should think more in the nationalistic context rather than make a proposal to benefit the team of his choice.

Dashgar
on June 12, 2012, 12:18 GMT

The reshuffle of teams will help India. I would suggest that at least the lowest, if not the lower 2 be stripped of First Class status. 9 First Class teams is more than enough for India and so many teams cheapens the format.

venkatesh018
on June 12, 2012, 12:16 GMT

At last some good signs..

maddinson
on June 12, 2012, 12:05 GMT

The number of teams are two much in Indian cricket resulting into very poor competition at first class level

satish619chandar
on June 12, 2012, 11:54 GMT

I would have loved to see lesser teams and more games.. Of course, the tracks need to be better.. As far as we see, tracks either completely aid bowling or completely batting.. There is no proper balance.. Have a total of 14 teams with format like in county.. 7 in group A, 7 in group B.. Two bottoms in Group A need to move to Group B and the top two in Group B move to Group A.. Demotion as well as promotion will motivate the teams coming in last two too and will avoid dead rubbers.. People also will love to follow cricket more.. 27 is just too many teams.. Almost double of the comfortable no..

Kushalagr007
on June 12, 2012, 11:37 GMT

If there are going to be three groups A,B & C with 9 teams each and no elite and plate leagues, how will there be promotion & relegation as stated above??? Will the 3 groups be 3 divisions and only top teams from Group A play the knockouts and top/bottom teams from Group B & C will be promoted/relegated... if this is the plan than I think it will improve the quality of cricket as only the best teams will play agst. each other

on June 12, 2012, 11:20 GMT

the more concern should be on the improving of the playing conditions especially pitches... dead pitches offering no contest and thus it end up loosing the interest of the fans.

on June 12, 2012, 11:05 GMT

Not at all a bad idea, we need save the legacy. Hope Saurav and Kumble brings the best Test Cricket team soon. All the Best!

bighit14
on June 12, 2012, 10:38 GMT

The pitches also needs to be improved. Should not be traditional flat pitches.

No featured comments at the moment.

bighit14
on June 12, 2012, 10:38 GMT

The pitches also needs to be improved. Should not be traditional flat pitches.

on June 12, 2012, 11:05 GMT

Not at all a bad idea, we need save the legacy. Hope Saurav and Kumble brings the best Test Cricket team soon. All the Best!

on June 12, 2012, 11:20 GMT

the more concern should be on the improving of the playing conditions especially pitches... dead pitches offering no contest and thus it end up loosing the interest of the fans.

Kushalagr007
on June 12, 2012, 11:37 GMT

If there are going to be three groups A,B & C with 9 teams each and no elite and plate leagues, how will there be promotion & relegation as stated above??? Will the 3 groups be 3 divisions and only top teams from Group A play the knockouts and top/bottom teams from Group B & C will be promoted/relegated... if this is the plan than I think it will improve the quality of cricket as only the best teams will play agst. each other

satish619chandar
on June 12, 2012, 11:54 GMT

I would have loved to see lesser teams and more games.. Of course, the tracks need to be better.. As far as we see, tracks either completely aid bowling or completely batting.. There is no proper balance.. Have a total of 14 teams with format like in county.. 7 in group A, 7 in group B.. Two bottoms in Group A need to move to Group B and the top two in Group B move to Group A.. Demotion as well as promotion will motivate the teams coming in last two too and will avoid dead rubbers.. People also will love to follow cricket more.. 27 is just too many teams.. Almost double of the comfortable no..

maddinson
on June 12, 2012, 12:05 GMT

The number of teams are two much in Indian cricket resulting into very poor competition at first class level

venkatesh018
on June 12, 2012, 12:16 GMT

At last some good signs..

Dashgar
on June 12, 2012, 12:18 GMT

The reshuffle of teams will help India. I would suggest that at least the lowest, if not the lower 2 be stripped of First Class status. 9 First Class teams is more than enough for India and so many teams cheapens the format.

Percy_Fender
on June 12, 2012, 12:30 GMT

It is imperative to play on sporting surfaces whether it is the Ranji or any other tournament. The curators a of Bangalore and Mohali should be assigned the task to create such wickets at all the places where the matches ar going to held. Rather than having the Vijay Hazare tournament winners play the Challengers, an additional team should be included.Saurav Ganguly should think more in the nationalistic context rather than make a proposal to benefit the team of his choice.

on June 12, 2012, 13:04 GMT

They can try few matches in SA, NZ not just promotion of sport but also give the exposure to the players under different conditions...